The Crown

Nineteen.

The Crown

Denissa Ilbrando waited in the sitting room for Gabriella to come back from her outing with her 'new friends'. Denissa was feeling betrayed in a way after Manuel refused her from going along with them. She hated to think that Gabriella would ever stand in her way of becoming Queen of Spain but Denissa was raised to believe that sometimes enemies could be disguised as the sweetest people.

"We are running out of time Denissa. Soon we will have to go back to our Manor and that will ruin the plan. The prince has to propose one of these days or we will be miserable." Duchess Helene walked around in circles in frustration.

"I know that our days here were numbered Mama, I have been trying, I have been patient with the prince but I do not know what is on his mind. Do you think she loves him?" Denissa asked her mother.

"Denissa, you cannot possibly be considering that garbage. She is not even in the picture! She is just another slave girl you could have never picked from that auction. Look at how much trouble she has caused us, we must rid her. Now, I am going to help Queen Isabella with the ball preparations, you better think of a solution."

Isabella walked into the outside parlour with a smile on her face. After hearing what her son had done in town made her happy and she needed a big celebration. Luckily, the Royal Reyes Ball of Spain came once every year and this was the perfect reason.

"We are celebrating my son's peace with the people of Spain. And I want this celebration to be big! We will have the best musicians present here on that day. Also, we have to get in touch with the tailor in Barcelona, he is the best yet." Isabella told Helene and her mother Rita.

"As big as you want it Isabella, remember that only family of family, close friends and respectful members of the royal kingdom are invited," Rita said. "Yes your Grace, I am also hoping that prince Manuel will propose that night as well. Should they design a beautiful dress for Denissa that will be eye-catching?" Helene asked her.

"If my grandson has not proposed to your daughter by now, he probably will not. But we never you know what's on his mind. With his illness and recovery, and the people shaming him. All this distraction has held him back from proposing. But he might surprise us all." Rita said.

Nine weeks ago, all Rita and Isabella wanted was for their son to marry a good wife who was fit for the crown because she was afraid he was not fit. But now that he had changed with a good heart, Rita did not care whom he married or if he married at all. Coronation Day was months ahead and if he wanted to be crowned King alone with no one by his side then so be it, she was not going to stop him. But Isabella was not going to let this slide, over the weeks, Isabella had seen how much Denissa loved Manuel, even through the days that he was in a wheelchair, Denissa was always there by his side, trying to comfort him and entertain him. But Isabella feared that Manuel might not see Denissa as his future wife. She feared that everything she was doing was not enough to make him love her, but what was?

~*~

On their way back from town, Gabriella begged Manuel if she could see the royal horses in the horse stable. Not only did he allow it but he went with her. Aaron went home to prepare a way for prince Manuel's dinner and bath. Gabriella enjoyed watching the gentle horses in each of their stables. Each horse was different from the other. Gabriella petted the black soft hairs of the pony as she spoke. "I love this one, what is her name?" Gabriella asked Manuel.

"Oh, we do not have names for them. It is not necessary." Manuel told her.

"What if everyone called you 'lord human?'Animals deserve their own names for they are special in their own ways, just like people." She explained to him. Manuel knew that this was true, he also saw her love for animals, especially horses.